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Second baby on the way for miracle dad Ben

A MAN who miraculously defied doctors to become a father despite having an inoperable brain tumour is to become a dad for the second time.

Ben Lindon, aged 34, was told the high doses involved in his chemotherapy treatment, which he will receive for the rest of his life, would leave him infertile but he and his wife Kate, who live in Oakfield Road, Malvern, welcomed their daughter Martha to the world 17 months ago and they are now expecting a baby boy.

Kate, 31, is 24 weeks pregnant and has a due date of June 26.

Mr Lindon said: "We are thrilled, gobsmacked and over the moon - it's unbelievable news. We thought Martha was miraculous enough and this is another miracle.

"It's the family dream to have a little boy and girl, things we really didn't believe we would have. It is beyond our wildest dreams."

If that wasn't enough to keep the lucky pair busy, Mr Lindon is gearing up to run the London Marathon on Sunday, April 13 and the gruelling 26.2 miles challenge around the streets of the capital will come after he has completed his 60th cycle of chemotherapy.

He admits to hating running marathons but is aiming to raise £3,000 for Brain Tumour Research as "£2,740 is the exact amount that covers one day of brain tumour research."

The former journalist, who now works as a tree surgeon, was diagnosed with the tumour after his left arm went numb and he collapsed while running in March 2008.

The very rare form of brain cancer called grade 2 gioblastoma multiforme affects two to three people per 100,000 in America and Europe, and it proved inoperable due to its position in the central part of Mr Lindon’s brain.

"I haven't done any training, so it will be horrific. I am not so worried about the training because I have a fairly active job - I'm more worried about the fund raising side of things."

He hopes to attract some corporate sponsorship to ease the financial burden on generous family and friends while still generating funds for his chosen cause.

Mr Lindon has already shown he has an appetite for physical challenges, having scaled Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon over a weekend in October with his Three Peaks challenge raising about £3,000 for the charity.

To make a donation or to discuss sponsorship, go to justgiving.com/Ben-Lindon1 or contact Mr Lindon via benlindon@yahoo.co.uk or 07531 446716.